President Xi Jinping called on media outlets on Friday to promote the "Shanghai Spirit", expand practical cooperation and spread friendliness among the peoples within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Xi, who is also the general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in a congratulatory letter to the First SCO Media Summit, held in Beijing on Friday.

The media are an important bridge for exchanges, cooperation and people-to-people connectivity among SCO countries, Xi said.

In today's world, where informatization is developing rapidly, the media play an increasingly significant role in connecting hearts and minds of people from different countries, he said, adding that he is confident the summit will play a positive role in building strength for the organization.

"China resolutely supports the development of the SCO and is willing to join hands with all parties to build a more close-knit community with a shared future for the region and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind," he said.

The media can play a positive role in securing harmony among SCO countries, said Shafqat Jalil, director-general of Pakistan Broadcasting Corp, at the summit. Through responsible reporting, media can help promote regional peace and stability and ultimately realize a new fair and rational international political and economic order, he added.

An initiative for media cooperation among SCO countries was passed at the media summit, and a series of cooperation agreements were signed between governments and media organizations of the SCO on the sidelines of the summit.